Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any affiliates.

A/N: One chapter to go after this . . . read and review please.

Hermione slept in the next morning and almost instantly regretted waking up. Her head pounded as if several rock drummers were in the room with her. She rose slowly and found Snape had once again foreseen the unpleasant hangover she would have in the morning. He left no note, just a potion vial. Hermione smiled at his thoughtfulness.

Since he had lessons all day, Hermione took the opportunity to visit Harry. If she were lucky, Ron would have the afternoon off from work; however, the chances of that were slim to none. It was worth a shot anyway.

It was not until she was standing outside Harry's small house in the forest that Hermione realized just how hungry she really was. Hermione knocked. Several minutes later Harry still had not answered the door. She wandered around the house wondering where he could be. She heard several voices yelling in the distance. After following the sound for several minutes, Hermione found Harry, Ron, and Ginny playing Quidditch in a small field surrounded by trees.

Hermione smiled and watched the three friends play. Finally, Ginny noticed the observer and landed next to her. "Hiya, Hermione. Harry said you come visit him sometimes."

The girls hugged each other and walked over to the boys. "Hey guys. It's nice to see you outside, Harry." She did not mention that his disfigurations were more prominent in real light, but it did not matter to her anyway. He was still her friend and she cared about him.

"Yeah, well, Ron and Ginny can be persuasive sometimes. It's nice to know I still have some skills."

Ron and Hermione nodded to each other in greeting. "Harry, you'll always be good at Quidditch. You're a natural."

"Hermione's right. You could leave me in the dust even when you're near death," Ron commented.

"Gee, thanks guys. It's great to know that," Harry said sarcastically. Changing his tone, he asked, "So, Hermione, what brings you here today?"

They started back to the house. "Well, I have some news for all of you. But not before I eat something because I am starved."

Ginny giggled. "How unlike you."

"Yeah, well, I forgot to eat before coming here. Kind of slipped my mind with everything that's happened in the last couple of days."

They tried to pry an answer out of her all the way back to the house and throughout lunch, but Hermione refused to budge. She insisted on being satisfied before she spoke. Nearly an hour later, she was finally done with lunch. To her credit, she had a fully captivated audience at that point.

"Well, I suppose you already know about the prophecy. Severus has refused to actually tell me what it specifically states, but I can tell you that it's not in full motions. We're engaged."

Ginny temporarily became a total girly-girl and squealed in delight. Ron rolled his eyes at the outburst and congratulated Hermione despite the fact he still did not want to accept that she was actually going to marry Snape. Harry gave Hermione a hug and mirrored her happiness.

"That's really great, Hermione. I'm really happy for you twp."

"Thanks, Harry. Ron, I know you don't' really like the idea, but I really feel like it's meant to be that way. You'll always be my friend."

Ron mumbled something unintelligible but smiled at Hermione smile.

"As long as you're happy, Hermione. Just remember, I want to know the minute he mistreats you so I can kick his ass."

"Ronald!" Hermione exclaimed while Ginny slapped his arm.

"I was only saying . . . geez, is it so wrong to care about Hermione's safety?"

"Ron, I feel the same," Harry said. "However, you don't know Snape like I do. He's not who he was."

"Right, well, I'm still just saying . . ."

Hermione said, "It's okay. I'd rather you show concern than pretend like you don't care. It makes me feel safer anyway. And Harry's right. He's not the same. Bu then, none of us is the same since the end of the war."

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a bit.

"Hermione," Ginny said, "Didn't you mention something else?"

"Oh, yeah, well, um, to be honest I feel a little weird telling you this but the other day I heard Severus' thoughts. It wasn't like either of us was trying to do it; it just happened."

"I know that feeling," Harry replied. The other three looked at him. "Sorry. Not to interrupt or anything. Continue, Hermione."

"Oh, no, Harry. It's quite all right. We don't really know how it happened, but we don't really care. It was more of a surprise than anything anyway. Severus said it wasn't part of the prophecy or anything."

"Certainly wasn't," Harry spoke again. He sighed. "Hermione, I should tell you something. Well, all of you should know I guess. I was there when Trelawny made the prophecy. It was kind of accidental really. Snape and McGonagall were working on a solution to my problem when she just showed up in the Headmistress' office. They hid me so she wouldn't know I was there, but I think she did anyway. When her powers are working, it's like she knows everything."

Ron asked, "You mean you heard it all? We've only gotten bits and pieces of it."

"I've gotten basically nothing," Hermione added quietly.

"Here's the other thing," Harry said, "McGonagall and Snape couldn't tell you everything. They only ever heard the first half."

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"Trelawny knocked them out." The other three gasped. "The last part was only for me to hear, which is why I think she knew I was there." He took a moment. "I think it's time I tell you it from the beginning, Hermione."

The room was silent. The idea of finally hearing the whole prophecy weighed heavy on their minds. Hermione needed to take several deep breaths to calm herself. She nodded when she was ready to hear it.

Harry took several moments himself to remember it properly. He could see it etched on the inside of his eyelids when he closed his eyes. Finally, he spoke quietly but strongly.

On the night of the Dark Lord's fall

A boy was changed and a girl fled.

Only in her return can the Raven spy wed

And find peace of mind.

Only in her return can the world of magic

Continue to grow and flourish.

Through tears of joy and sadness

She will rise.

Through the haze of death

The boy will be reborn.

She will provide the long sought cure

And together they will begin a golden age.

Only he can tell this tale

And only she will interpret the truth.

He stopped to complete silence. Hermione sniffled and pulled Harry into a hug. She was crying. Harry did his best to comfort her. When they pulled apart, she still had a few stray tears rolling down her cheek. Harry wiped them away. When Hermione finally looked at Harry, she nearly did a double take at what she saw.

"Harry . . ." Ron said.

"What?" Ginny was now staring at him too.

Hermione grabbed him and hugged him again, new tears pricking her eyes. "Oh, Harry, you must see for yourself." She pulled away. "Go look in a mirror."

Harry rose and walked to the bathroom. He stared into the mirror for a while before saying, "What? How?" He brought a hand to his face slowly. "But this . . ."

Hermione was standing behind him. "Harry, the long sought cure . . . the love of your friends and tears of joy and sadness, my tears. It's all there."

He was still in shock. "I'm, I look . . ."

"Very similar to your father when he was your age," Hermione finished.

End Chapter 14